I am picking up a car in Munich (BMW European Delivery) in the spring, and I need to figure out a great two week trip (Actually, the driving portion is about 8 or 9 days). This is my 4th time picking up a car in Germany, and I am looking to visit a few places I have not been. Paris is my favorite place in the world, and the last 5 or 6 days of my trip will be spent there (at least that is my plan for now).

I just started trying to figure out a route, and here's what i am thinking: leave Munich and head to Frankfurt and/ or Heidelberg for a couple of nights (I need to stop in Frankfurt for at least one day)....then drive to Bruges, where I've never been, and spend two nights and two full days there....then drive to the Loire Valley (been to Paris and France more than 20 times, but never to the Loire), and spend two nights there....then on to Paris, where I will drop off my car and spend the last five or six days of my trip. I was also thinking about going to Reims/ Champagne possibly.

Another alternative would be to take a more central/ southern route and spend time in Provence, then head north to the Loire and to Paris. While I have been to the Cote D'Azur a few times, and spent a little time in Provence, i have never really spent any length of time there, nor explored deeply by car.

I would appreciate thoughts and advice on timing or other areas that my be worth seeing. Is two nights in Bruges the right amount? Please note that I will be likely be traveling alone, and that I am usually content to spend a couple of days in a small place, and then move on.

Thank you.

Some thoughts: On your way up north from Munich visit and stay in Rotenburg ob der Tauber.A beautiful mediaeval town on top of a hill.If you want to visit Reims do it on your way to the Loire after your visit to Bruges.You'll save time.Two days in Bruges will give you a good idea.Get a plan at the Tourist centre and it's all walkable.You dont need a car.Paul

Have you ever spent time in western Germany/eastern France? You could drive from Munich to Freiburg and spend a few days there checking out the southern Black Forest. Then go over the border to Colmar and Strasbourg, and spend a few days touring the Route du Vin. From there you could go to Nancy, Metz, Reims, the Champagne Country, and then Paris.

Tom18: Yes, I have spent time there and enjoyed it. Thank you.

Tovarich: Do you think a stop for a few hours in Rotenburg odT is ok, or should I spend the night there? I understand it is a rather small place. Thank you.

champagne then Alsace, then Pfalz. Just gotta that white wine tasting in

hi fish,

taking a look at the map, the south of france does seem to be a long way out of your way, whereas there is a lot of germany and Belgium to explore before you get to Paris.

Plan A would be a long northern loop up through Rotenburg to Nuremberg, Frankfurt, Koblenz, Bruges, and Reims ending in Paris, OR

Plan B, Munich, Strasbourg, Troyes, Orleans, Tours [for the Loire], Paris. this route of course misses out Frankfurt. OR

Plan C - as A, but from Frankfurt head through the Pfalz to Reims and thence to Paris. this misses out Bruges but gets you the Pfalz and Frankfurt. personally, I like this one best.

fishskis: You should at least spend one full day in Rothenburg and preferably 2 or 3.It's a fantastic place.You're in the Middle ages there.Paul

I like the Provence, Loire, and Paris route idea. I put a post on the colors of Provence... maybe this will inspire you to choose Provence. http://beachesandpeaches.com/2011/01...iration-color/
You should definitely stay in Aix-en-Provence. I've also spent a month in Chateauneuf-sur-Loire and visited nearby towns from there and it was a magical trip, too: so relaxing, beautiful castles and chateaus, incredible wine cellars, gardens everywhere... it's fun to rent a bike in the Loire towns if you stay over.

Thank you all for the replies. Still undecided. I have wanted to go to Bruges for some time; on the other hand, I really don't need a car to go to Bruges, whereas touring through Provence seems to lend itself to a driving trip. I always seem to go through this back and forth of figuring it all out, then, all of a sudden, I make a decision and (usually) stick with it.

We are also picking up a BMW in Munich summer 2011. This is our first! We have a more lengthy trip planned - over 6 weeks. We're starting in Munich, then Regensburg, Berchesgaden, Fussen, Meersburg (Bodensee), long drive to Dordogne, Normandy, Bruges, and finally a bit of time near the Rhine. My husband has some grand plan involving the Nurburgring. I don't think this answers any of your questions but thought I'd share our plan! (We're also traveling with our 4 & 6 year old daughters. Yikes!) Have a great trip.

It's a matter of personal preference, but I would spend only a few hours in Rothenburg. It is great for photo opportunities, but the old town is strictly a tourist enclave maintained and primarily existing for the massive bus tour group trade. Worth a stop and lots of photos, but not much else unless you are deeply into tourist shops. Beyond the well-maintained buildings, there isn't much of historical interest there, other than about 1/3 of the old city being destroyed by bombing in WWII and then rebuilt very well.

PaulHahn: Thank you. This is exactly what I was looking for. It definitely sounds like the kind of place I would like to get in and out of fairly quickly.

AndiM: This is my fourth BMW European Delivery. You will love it. I assume (and hope) that the Nurburgring plan does not involve you or your children. The Ring is for serious drivers who know what they are doing; and it is not without risk.

fishkis--but Rothenburg does definitely have great photo opportunities.